Springfield is located in North America which is located on the North American Plate. Movement of plate tectonics has shaped the continents on Earth that we see today. In this blog the changes that have taken place in the past and changes that will take place in the future are examined. Not only the changes due to plate tectonics will be discussed, but more specifically the climatic conditions that occur during those times. We have already examined the climate of Springfield at present, so we will review briefly.
Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/plate_tectonics/plates.php
The graphic above shows that the North American plate is bordered by the Caribbean plate, Cocos plate, Pacific plate and Juan de Fuca plate on the west side and the African and Eurasian plate on the east side. Using the legend, we can determine the direction the plates are moving. By looking at which direction they are moving, the past and future placement of continents can be determined and we can postulate climatic changes.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NYbTNFN3NBo
(Springfield is indicated by a red dot in all images)
Springfield experiences a continental climate with fairly unpredictable weather on a daily basis. The coordinates of Springfield are 37° N 93° W which is positioned in the northern hemisphere. The average annual temperature is 59.1°F. Wind funneling through the lower elevations below the Ozark Plateau affects the wind patterns surrounding Springfield. El Niño years produce more hail and severe weather. (To read more about the climate of Springfield at present, refer to the blog post titled Climate)
Springfield was not always in this location. 100 million years ago, Springfield was at roughly 24° N 54° W. This location was still in the northern hemisphere, but closer to the prime meridian and equator. The image below shows where Springfield was situated 100 million years ago.
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NYbTNFN3NBo
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertropical_Convergence_Zone
For example, during July, the ITCZ is below Springfield and creates more rainfall, very clam winds, and can create severe weather like thunder and lightning storms. However, the chances of a hurricane hitting Springfield were small. The body of water on the east coast was small enough and surrounded by so much land it caused large currents to dissipate before they could build enough energy to create a storm on the water. ENSO still contributed to the rainfall that Springfield experienced as well. During El Niño years, the surface pressure of the Pacific ocean is higher, so on the west coast there are dryer conditions than normal. On the east coast, Springfield was closer to where northern Brazil is today, that means more precipitation occurred 100 million years ago based on the location of North America back then. La Niña years would have caused the opposite to occur, assuming the location of continents has nothing to do with the oscillation process that causes these climatic changes. (The cause of ENSO is still under study)
200 million years later, plate tectonics have once again shaped a new location for all continents on Earth. Springfield now lies further north and west. The latitude and longitude is 42° N 102° W.
Since Springfield is still in the northern hemisphere, the temperature will still be the warmest in the summer months. The climate resembles current conditions that can be seen today. The future and past of Springfield are when we see the greatest differences in climate. In the past, a lot of moisture occurred with its closer proximity to the equator and it was a maritime climate, however, in the future there is less predictability of the weather because it is a continental climate. The climate will still be affected by the warm waters on the east coast, but Springfield will experience more severe weather such as hail, lightning and thunder, than in the past or present. Hurricanes will be unlikely to cause any damage in Springfield 100 million years from now because, unlike the past, it is more inland and the Caribbean islands extend further into the ocean to break up storms.
At this time, ENSO will have little to no effect on the climate in Springfield. It is too far north for a significant change to be seen in the weather patterns. Wind funneling could increase, perhaps the Ozarks by this time could be mountains that are similar to the Rocky Mountains. If that occurs, conditions would become very unpredictable. This factor is substantial because the daily weather patterns would be practically impossible to predict. It would be much like Denver, CO where weather changes so frequently, it is hard to keep up. Cooler temperatures would bring more precipitation in the winter months, which remains constant from the present.
The future will bring changes to Springfield, although by that time it may not matter what humans called this area 100 million years ago.
To watch the full animation of the progression of continental drift click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYbTNFN3NBo
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